PSY222 Introduction to political psychology

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2019
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Jan Šerek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Jan Šerek, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Jan Šerek, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Thu 8:00–9:40 U35
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course aims to introduce basic theories and current findings in political psychology. A particular focus is on the inter-connections between political psychology and the knowledge from traditional psychological disciplines, the cultivation of a critical view on psychological research of politics in terms of its potential and limitations, and the application of political psychology to current political events.
Learning outcomes
At after passing this course, students will be able:
- to understand basic concepts, findings and theories concerning the relation between an individual and politics;
- to understand the opportunities and the limitations of psychology in the study of politics;
- to employ political psychological knowledge to understand current political events;
- to asses psychological research studies of politics in terms of their quality, strengths and limitations;
- to write an argumentation essay supported by the literature.
Syllabus
  • 1. What is political psychology?
  • 2. Political socialization and its consequences
  • 3. Political attitudes a political ideologies
  • 4. Irrationality in politics
  • 5. Politics and personality (politician's personality)
  • 6. Authoritarian personality
  • 7. Psychology of power, authority, leadership
  • 8. Terrorism, extremism, and nationalism
  • 9. Democracy, political values, trust in institutions
  • 10. Political communication
  • 11. Political and voting behavior
Literature
    recommended literature
  • HOUGHTON, David Patrick. Political psychology : situations, individuals, cases. Second edition. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2015, x, 329. ISBN 9780415833820. info
  • COTTAM, Martha L., Elena MASTORS, Thomas PRESTON and Beth DIETZ. Introduction to political psychology. 3rd edition. and London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2016, x, 522. ISBN 9781848726727. info
  • The Oxford handbook of political psychology. Edited by Leonie Huddy - David O. Sears - Jack S. Levy. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013, xvii, 986. ISBN 9780199760107. info
  • Political psychology : key readings. Edited by John T. Jost - Jim Sidanius. New York: Psychology Press, 2004, xiii, 497. ISBN 1841690694. URL info
  • Political psychology. Edited by Kristen R. Monroe. Mahwah, N.J.: L. Erlbaum, 2002, vii, 456. ISBN 0805838872. info
  • Explorations in political psychology. Edited by Shanto Iyengar - William J. McGuire. Durham: Duke University Press, 1993, ix, 484. ISBN 0822313014. info
  • LUKAS, Josef and Josef SMOLÍK. Psychologie vůdcovství (Psychology of leadership). 1st ed. Brno: Computer Press, 2008, 208 pp. KPS003. ISBN 978-80-251-2139-9. URL info
  • Aplikovaná sociální psychologie. Edited by Jozef Výrost - Ivan Slaměník. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 1998, 383 s. ISBN 80-7178-269-6. info
  • Thinking about political psychology. Edited by James H. Kuklinski. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2002, ix, 354 p. ISBN 0521593778. info
  • Growing into politics : contexts and timing of political socialisation. Edited by Simone Abendschön. 1st pub. Colchester: ECPR Press, 2013, x, 280. ISBN 9781907301421. info
  • PANCER, S. Mark. The psychology of citizenship and civic engagement. New York: Oxford University Press, 2015, x, 211. ISBN 9780199752126. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, classroom discussions, reading, written assignments based on reading.
Assessment methods
Active participation in four discussion seminars (incl. submitting written assignments based on reading; 4 x 10 points), argumentation essay (max. 25 points), final written test (max. 35 points). Overall 61 or more points is needed to pass.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2018.
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